Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-01-06

But the devil fepiled, as the Old maid ht
eyed,
"No; the devil now wouldn't kiss youn
-1nland Printer.
Showed i'm at ThOmsOn's.
Correspondent School and Home.
It was not in the programme-tbal
snow-storm-but I rather think the
fact enhanced its charm. Surprises
have flavor which no anticipated
event carries; they stimulate our ap'
probation very much as an onion-rub
bed plate does our appetite. And the
fact remained-we were snow-bound
Now, what was to be done about it?
1t was late in the season, little toe
late, perhaps, when few days previous
to this, we had assembled at our ap-
pointed rendezvous for coaching
party, but on the principle of "better
late than never" we showed to each
other only merry faces, when the train
stopped at De Lassus that November
day, three of us alighted, to Join the
five, who had driven from Bonne
Terre, aud Were just arrived.
What a merry crowd we were, to be
sure! Bride and groom, matron and
miss, men and lad; each with CHEEKY
face, which bespoke locked doors on
care, and work, and worry, and a
marshaling of forces in fun and frolic.
We were not seeking pleasure, we
brought it with us, in our varied ma
lures, yet uniform good nature, and SO
felt ready for aught that might turn
up. But as the first thing that turned
up was the hotel. it was pretty hard to
hold to our contract.
Poor country hotel! rarely visited,
always maligned, too warm in Summer,
TOO cold in Winter, we pass you by;
only casting over our shoulder an ad-
miring glance for all the treasures
gathered in your parlor, and for the late
dinner which spread your best of coun-
try fare before us. Chickens garnished
with chrysanthemums, neither being
part of Spring, were very seasonable
TO our Fall banquet; and we ate merri-
Iy to the tune of "the flowers that
bloom in the Spring have nothing to do
with the case" only leaving the case
in question, hen the table was length
ened, and the coach announced,
There it was, the same coach that
had carried US, the year before, OH our
glorious ride over the hills, and far
away from St. Joe, into Arcadia; and
there were the dappled gray leaders,
which, with the shining bays as wheel
ers, made a gallant team, ''sure to draw
the crowd, ''as the play biif harn 1t. We
took our places, our host took the lines,
and we were off.
Did you ever think what pretty bit
of coloring woman is in a group9 1t
is but a poor group without her, take
it where or when you will. A bright
wrap, tossing feather, pair of bright
eyes, q rosy cheek--these are dashes of
color which can i'll be spared, and of
which our party had its full share.
Behind the coach there rode two of the
party on rseback, out-riders to our
and thus guarded and equip
ped, we sped on our way.
We sang, We laughed, aud we sang
again, and still the coach rolled merri-
ly over the road, bringing into tantaliz-
ing proximity the heavy sumach, the
black haws, sweet and purplish, and
the few belated Autumn leaves; but
like rolling stone, We gathered moth
ing but momentum and little dirt as
we sped past, and rolled at last into the
village of Iron,M Mouutain. where, under
the shadow of its mountain sentinel,
the hotel stands. :,
Here was good cheer and welcome;
clean beds, warm rooms, and hungry
travellers are always a good combine
ton. The night over, we turned our
horses heads toward Arcadia, nor did
we deign to notice the lowering sky
overhead, trusting that when the day
had been awake little longer, these
sulky looks would pass, and good-hu-
mored sunshine take their place. But
1,l
gave place to tears, on Natures face,
from town, as we drove by Valley
Home" we answered the salute by
turning in at our friends, Mr.. VIM. n.
Tn ,mson's, meaning to open our lunch
baskets there, and "bide awhile" until
the clouds had passed. To tell how
ong we stayed there Is to finish my
story. / lay down my pencil here. as
/ vision of country plenty rises before |
ny eyes.
"Come in! come In! one and all of |
,ou." says our host; II only hope it |
will rain for week! Lay by your
wraps. Here is a good fire; we will |
oon dry you off. Sambo, pile on the |
ogs, and bring in more by tho big arm
uI. Dinah, make ready the dining
DOM, and bring out the sheets and |
blankets, too. These friends shall stay! |
BY the winds and weather, we won't
ct you go, my good people, until you
rave broken bread with US. What will |
'ou have to eat or to drink? Speak |
ut. 'Tis not much we have, but it is |
II yours. Milk and cream, chicken |
nd turkey, walnuts, hickorynuts,
neat, drink, warmth and welcome-l
AXE it as we give it. You couldn't
make Us happier!"
To such welcome as this, what man
ould be deaf? It was not long before,
wraps off. and horses stabbed, we were
itting before the glowing !ogs, group
about the piano, another
itting down TO a game of hearts, +"
nd the rest. by twos and threes, enjoy
ng what sometimes seems q lost art to
s busy Americans-friendl chat.
Cur party Eow numbered eleven, all
merry, all musical but one, who, by
furnishing q laugh .for every bit of
was considered to add his
uota to the noise, at any rate; and
eally, much of our music could boast
% better name, since no two of as knew
he same song, or knowing the air,
vould choose the same words. The
oung folks, at this juncture, were de-
patched by train back 10 Iron Noun
ain, to bring the traps left there, ara
was during their absence that we en-
Dyed good dinner. anc afterwarda a
aost isimi1abIe reproductisA ps Word